In the video about heuristics, the narrator mentioned that most people, when asked what percentage of crimes involve violence, are likely to say there is a high rate of violent crimes. However, a 2011 FBI report stated that less than 12% of crimes in the country are violent crimes. The narrator attributes this to the _ because violent crimes are so _.

The public's perception of a high rate of violent crimes, despite lower actual statistics, can be attributed to the availability heuristic and the influence of media coverage.

Explanation:

The student is asking about the reason behind the public's perception of a high rate of violent crimes, despite actual statistics showing a lower percentage. This can be attributed to the availability heuristic, as violent crimes are more memorable and receive more media coverage, leading people to overestimate their occurrence.

Research has shown that the extensive and repeated media coverage of crime, along with popular crime series, can significantly influence people's perception of crime rates. People who closely follow media reports of crime are more likely to estimate the crime rate inaccurately high and feel more fearful about experiencing crime.

Overall, the public's perception of crime rates does not always align with the actual statistics, and factors like media coverage and the availability heuristic play a significant role in shaping these perceptions.